Flipping Vintage In Brooklyn, NY

01/272015

Flipping Vintage is a furniture store and interior design firm in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, NY. It is located at 224 Roebling Street.   Joshua Felix, an interior designer and his partner Salvatore Ciarcià opened what Joshua refers to as “the showroom” a year and a half ago. Joshua attended the N.Y. School of Interior Design.

The store contains an eclectic mix of vintage furniture, abstract art and housewares. Many of the vintage furniture pieces have been refurbished, as well as redesigned. Joshua often takes pieces down to the basic frame and not only re-upholsters such items as chairs or sofas, but he also reconstructs them from the springs up. He uses fine fabrics, wood stains and paint to deliver exceptional pieces that retain an authentic vintage look, yet often with a modern spin. He and his partner regularly attend auctions to find these carefully selected, quality pieces. It is evident that Joshua has a well trained eye for knowing how to mix contemporary with vintage. I found his mix of colors in the showroom’s various settings quite impressive.

flipping vintage upcycled vintage furniture refurbished

Flipping Vintage also carries vintage housewares such as blown glass from the 1950’s, upcycled clocks and lamps made from vintage books and a variety of abstract art. Devin Kain is the artist who makes the upcycled clocks and lamps. Devin will make clocks from a private collection of vintage books by specific arrangement as well. There are approximately fifteen various artists that have their work in the showroom.

Joshua himself is warm and friendly. His energy and love of interior design was evident to me as he explained his various processes of restoring and redesigning the pieces. This business is an excellent example of rewinding, recycling and upcycling in the Brooklyn, NY area. Joshua is also available to do interior design work in private homes. If you would like to see more photos of his work and videos of the showroom please visit his website at: http://www.flippingvintage.com/

 

Two Thrifted Coats

01/252015

This fall I bought the longer coat in this post. I found it at a garage sale in Brooklyn, NY.  I had wanted a coat like this, for the warmer days when it is above thirty five degrees. This one appealed to me since it had a vintage inspired look to it. It is designed by Lida Baday. I wanted something nice to go with a shawl I have from my grandmother.   It is a good coat to wear on interviews for instance, as long as it is not too cold. My silk scarf was a gift.

Two thrifted coats Be Kind Thrift and Rewind

On the really cold days I wear my down parka, which I bought new and it really isn’t a pretty coat. It keeps me warm so it does do its job. I haven’t had good luck with down coats in New York. They seem to get dirty and worn looking quickly due to the subways and city wear and tear.  Even the black down coats!

The shorter coat here is one I found over 20 years ago in the lower east side of Manhattan, NY. I think it was designed in Europe. It says “Combatteno” on the label but I found nothing about that brand online. This little jacket has gotten me through many falls and springs through the years. Recently the sleeves were literally shredding and falling apart so I sewed some ribbon on to trim it and hand stitched it to bind up the tatters. Now it is fine and ready for many more years of wear.   It also looks nice with the shawl that my cousin upcycled for me, which can work as a hat as well, if it starts snowing or gets windy.  I obviously try to take care of the items in my wardrobe that I treasure. I really don’t like to toss things that are still good, particularly those with a classic look. The skirt I wore with the shorter coat is a Liberty of London skirt from the 1980’s.

Two Thrifted Coats Vintage Shawl Rewind Reduce and Recycle

 

 

 

 

 

‘Have a Heart’ Strings Made of An Old Book’s Pages

01/212015

Aren’t these little hanging hearts sweet? I found a tutorial on how to make these on Tif Fussell’s blog, Dottie Angel: http://dottieangel.blogspot.com/2011/01/have-heart-how-to.html

She has several more photos of these in the tutorial.  I wanted a set of my own. Sorry my apartment is not so bright. I hung this first set I made in the hallway.  I taped them to a ribbon I had hung on the wall, since I am renting and wanted to avoid tape marks.  I plan on making another set to send to my daughter. I hope they will arrive alright in the mail. I plan to carefully fold them up one string at a time and insert into separate envelopes.

Tif Fussell’s work I find absolutely amazing!! An album of hers on Flickr is called “Mossy Shed” and consists of photos of her cottage by the sea and her two airstream trailers. Here is the link to her album https://www.flickr.com/photos/dottieangel/sets/72157615085561711/ Looking at her photos is entering into a lovely world filled with arts, crafts, dainty aprons, patch worked pillows, and lampshades turned into mobiles covered with patches of floral fabrics. Her home is a collage of loveliness. Her clothing is equally beautiful. I have lost count of all the comments I have seen of women wanting her wardrobe.  Many of her dresses she has found at thrift shops. She alters them adding lace, mixes of other fabrics, patches of floral pockets and slips with collaged hems. I find her work utterly inspiring! She has a book out called “Granny Chic.” I want to order it soon as I get some more work. She certainly makes granny chic adorable.

Well I am enjoying these little hearts hanging in my apartment. If you feel inspired to make your own, please check out the tutorial and enjoy!

 

Vintage Buttons

01/152015

My mother sent me these adorable buttons for my upcycling projects. I had asked her to keep an eye out for vintage buttons when she goes out shopping. These are just so adorably cute on their little cards; I wanted to share a photo of them before I do anything else with them. I might decide to keep the ones with the gentlemen and the lady just the way they are, for the sake of vintage collection. The others I will most likely put onto a vintage button bracelet. These were a lovely find! I am so glad she sent them to me.  I inserted a picture of two of my vintage button bracelets.  If you would like to learn how to make them you can go to my other post for information: https://www.rewindreduceandrecycle.com/antique-button-bracelets/

 

Vintage Buttons

 

Vintage Button Bracelets